Five Weird Signs of an Iron Deficiency
Did you know that iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world and affects women more than men? Some studies show that almost 40% of women between the ages of 12 and 21 are iron deficient.
Iron is a vital mineral. It forms the base for red blood cells, which deliver oxygen to every part of the human body. Iron also contributes to healthy muscles, bone marrow and the immune system. If you’re feeling tired, no matter how much sleep you get, or you’ve been dealing with brain fog, those are common signs of low iron. However, you may not be aware of some less common signs and symptoms. Let’s dive into it.
How Much Iron Do I Need?
Everybody needs iron, but for women, especially those with a menstrual cycle, the recommended daily amount is higher:
- Teen girls (14-18 years): 15 milligrams a day
- Women (19-50 years): 18 milligrams a day
- Pregnant women: 27 milligrams a day
- Breastfeeding women: 9 milligrams a day
If you’re not getting enough iron, you may notice some signs.
Signs for Low Iron You May Not Have Heard of
Many of us know the more common signs of low iron, like dizziness, fatigue, pale skin, and brittle nails. However, iron deficiency can cause a range of other symptoms you may have never heard of, affecting everything from your appetite to your immune system.
Here are five weird iron deficiency symptoms.
Pale Inner Eyelids
You may be surprised that insufficient iron can cause several eye problems– because low iron means less oxygen for healthy eye tissue. One sign is a pale eyelid. In a healthy eye, you’ll notice a vibrant red color when you view your eyelids in a mirror. With iron deficiency, the eyelid is pale pink or yellow.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
A low iron level is a common underlying reason behind RLS, a medical condition that causes uncomfortable urges to move your legs, often at night. Research shows that people with RLS have chronically low iron levels.
Irregular Cravings
Weird cravings aren’t just for pregnant people. Pica, or craving foods or substances with little or no nutritional value, is a common symptom of iron deficiency. Although we’re not entirely sure why a lack of iron causes cravings for things like chalk or ice, one recent theory suggests that people with low iron levels like the feeling of chewing ice, which is called “hapticophagia.”
Tinnitus
Iron deficiency may cause a specific type of tinnitus known as pulsatile tinnitus, where individuals hear a rhythmic sound that aligns with their heartbeat. This can occur when the heart has to work harder to circulate blood due to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, making the pulse more noticeable in the ears.
Swollen Tongue
Low iron can cause pale gums and painful open-mouth sores called ulcers. It can also cause “anemia tongue,” or glossitis, where the tongue becomes inflamed or swollen. Glossitis is caused by a lack of myglobin, a protein that helps form the muscles, like the tongue.
Iron Tests
If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms or the more common symptoms of low iron like brittle nails, low mood, etc., you should ask your healthcare provider for an iron test. Iron tests typically use a small amount of blood to measure the amount of iron circulating in your blood and your iron stores.
Ferritin Blood Test
Ferritin is the protein that stores iron in your body, releases iron when needed, and protects cells from the effects of excess iron. The blood test will show how much iron your body stores, and it’s measured by Ng- nanograms per mL- milliliter (ng/mL). If your ferritin levels are too low, you may have anemia, but if they’re too high, it may be a sign of a serious condition.
The normal level of ferritin depends on your age and gender; below are normal ferritin levels by age:
- Infant: 25-200 ng/mL
- Child/Teenager: 7 to 140 ng/mL
- Adult Male (18 years and above): 20 to 250 ng/mL
- Adult Woman (18-39 years): 10 to 120 ng/mL
- Adult Woman (40 years and above): 12 to 263 ng mL
Serum Iron and Transferrin Tests
A serum iron test measures the amount of iron circulating in the blood. The test is often combined with a transferrin test because most of the iron is bound to a protein called transferrin, which transfers iron in the blood. Transferrin tests measure the amount of the protein in the body.
The normal range of serum iron depends on age and gender, and the measurement is “Microgram per deciliter” (mcg/dL):
- Newborn: 100-250 mcg/dL
- Child: 50-120 mcg/dL
- Male: 80-180 mcg/dL
- Female: 60-160 mcg/dL
Normal transferrin levels are 215 to 360 mg/dL for men and 250 to 380 mg/dL for women. You may have iron deficiency anemia if your results show a higher amount than 380 mg/dL.
Iron deficiency vs Anemia
People often use the terms ‘iron deficiency’ and ‘anemia’ interchangeably. However, they are different. Iron deficiency refers to low iron levels, which can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. Furthermore, you can be iron deficient without being anemic. On the other hand, iron-deficiency anemia is a condition in which there is a lower than normal number of red blood cells or hemoglobin (a protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout the body).
How to Increase Iron Levels
If you have low iron levels, you may be able to increase them by changing your diet or adding an iron supplement. Some iron-rich foods include:
- Fortified cereals such as cream of wheat
- Beef, turkey, shrimp and organ meat
- Leafy green vegetables like spinach, mustard greens, and dandelion greens
- Some varieties of beans, including white lima beans, soybeans, winged beans and Hyacinth beans
Check the USDA website for a complete list of iron-rich foods. However, keep in mind that too much iron can be toxic. Iron overload, or hemochronatosis, can cause damage to the liver and other organs.
Iron Deficiency Treatment in Phoenix, AZ
Iron deficiency is high for women during their child-bearing years, and one of the main culprits is a heavy period, which usually has an underlying cause such as PCOS or Endometriosis. A Genesis Ob/Gyn provider can help with a diagnosis, identify possible underlying causes, and develop a treatment plan. Contact us to request an appointment today.
